Waders that leak are usually not defective — they are incorrectly sized. Here is how to measure and the five most common mistakes.
Why Wader Sizing Is Different
Waders are a full-body garment. They need to fit across your chest, through your hips, in the seat, down the legs, and at the feet simultaneously. A wader perfect in the chest may be too tight in the seat when you bend to net a fish.
Take These Measurements
- Height — bare feet
- Weight — current weight
- Chest — fullest part, arms slightly forward
- Hip/Seat — widest point across hips
- Inseam — crotch to floor, bare feet
The Five Common Mistakes
1. Not accounting for layers underneath. Waders are worn over base and mid layers. Size for what you will actually wear underneath.
2. Ignoring the seat measurement. If between sizes, go up — a wader that pulls in the seat when you bend will fail at the seam.
3. Buying short inseam to compensate for leg bulk. This makes them unwearable. Get the length you need.
4. Not checking boot size. Wader boots need to fit over thick socks — go one full size up from your normal shoe size.
5. Returning before trying suspenders. Adjusting the shoulder suspenders correctly fixes many fit issues that seem like sizing problems.
If unsure, contact us before ordering. Browse our full wader range.
